I need an oversize cardigan. Okay,…I want one because the images in the magazines and my habit of buying new items dictate that I should get one. After realizing that I really can’t live without it, I raided Mr. Husband’s closet and found his well fitted J Crew sweaters are great as ‘this seasons must have’ over sized sweater for me.

I used to wear my mother’s clothing as a pre-teen when I wanted to achieve the tomboy early 90’s hip hop look. (I also remember trying to moon walk tooo...)

So I took it further and borrowed a few other pieces from Mr. Husband that I’ll mix sparingly into my wardrobe…….

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Sew What?! is a fashion, art, shopping event featuring a Swap-o-rama-rama. The event will include vendors which produce handmade jewelry, accessories, clothing and home goods. Artists will be performing live during the event with an opportunity for the public to receive custom art. This event will also include a Swap-o-rama-rama which is a community clothing swap and do-it-yourself workshop in which attendees explore creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing.

Tomorrow should be a lovely day. Check out Sew What?! if you are in Boston.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

This skirt is a tad bit too short and close fitting for my comfort. It is one of the many denim articles of clothing that no longer fit. What to do? Consign or Insulate?

I do live in New England where keeping warm is a favorite pass time...even in June. Here's a snipet on how denim insulation works......

"UltraTouch cotton fiber insulation is made from recycled denim and cotton fibers, materials that act as insulators because of the looser structure, or "breathability,"of the fabric compared to tighter weaves. Denim dates back to 17th century France, when a type of wool-and-silk-based fabric called "serge de Nimes" was popular. Also popular was a cotton-linen-and-wool blend known as "jean." By the 19th century, denim had become the fabric of choice for sturdy work clothes, particularly in the West. Levi Strauss began manufacturing his version of "jeans" in 1873." Read more here.

Monday, June 22, 2009

My best friend Kerrisha and host for my week end in Brooklyn. Looking quite retro and fab on Sunday on our Brooklyn Flea Market, lunch and bridge walk date. I couldnt pass up the chance to photograph the still functioning VW van.be good. do better. look your best.Tammyanka

Sunday, June 21, 2009

I've wanted a button down cotton skirt since 2002. I was in my final year of undergrad when my housemate from the Bahamas had a lovely vintage one she found in Amerstand. My mother had similar styles in the 80's too.On Thursday , despite the rain I ran over to local consignment shop to pick up some unsold items. Voila!!! Salmon + Button down +My size+ Cotton. +Vintage + J-Crew. On sale for $11 = Dream realized!!I wore it in NYC the very next day while lunching& walking with my best friend in SOHO. I am so over my fear of poop inna.(Read the post here)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

I am addicted to clutches. My mother carried them to distinguish casual from dressy looks in the 80’s and 90’s and for me,as a child, carrying a clutch was the epitome of being a fashionable lady.

The lovely pieces above were designed and created by one of my best friends, Synethia. Synethia is perhaps the only friend who can 'out shop' me in terms of number of hours and show continued militancy. She is living in Japan( again!) and made these beauties by hand from silk Japanese Obi sashes/belts. Me likey.

Now, my only challenge is which of the pieces will she 'gift' to me , just because. I’m trying to get her to sell them on etsy….leave a comment if you think she should.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Being an island girl, bananas are important to me. While I hate the texture and taste of the fruit, it represents the complexities of the unjust world we live in. While doing some reserach for a paper, I found the following article:

''Although bananas may only look like a fruit, they represent a wide variety of environmental, economic, social, and political problems. The banana trade symbolizes economic imperialism, injustices in the global trade market, and the globalization of the agricultural economy. Bananas are also number four on the list of staple crops in the world and one of the biggest profit makers in supermarkets, making them critical for economic and global food security. As one of the first tropical fruits to be exported, bananas were a cheap way to bring “the tropics” to North America and Europe. Bananas have become such a common, inexpensive grocery item that we often forget where they come from and how they got here.

In a number of countries such as Brazil and India, large amounts of bananas are produced but consumed mostly locally. Other regions such as Central America and the Caribbean include a large number of banana exporters. Some of the nations in these regions are quite dependent on banana exports, often to their former colonial rulers.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Last night I had a date with myself to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. My trip was part recreation and part research. As part of my job ' coordinating a network of park and green space advocates throughout Boston' , I am planning a workshop on graffiti and vandalism in urban parks. Coincidentally the infamous Shepard Fairey has his exhibition on show and multiple cases pending with the Boston Police Department on charges of vandalism. His art. Their dilemma.

I decided to take the public transportation so I could read a chapter or two of the very funny Holy Cow, but the rain came and soaked me on the 5 minute walk to the T( train ) stop. We island girls love the New England weather .......(can you smell the sarcasm?)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

My mother says my new do ( or non do) reminds her of Etana. Problem is, she has never actually seen my hair post locks. Etana is a Jamaican reggae artiste who bust on the scene after I left Jamaica, but I have grown to love her music. Check out her song 'Dont Forget'.

There is perhaps no similarity between myself and Etana except that we are both black girls with natural hair. But for my mother who was born in pre-independent Jamaica and came of age in post colonial Jamaica where a Jamaican and black identity was not yet defined; my natural hair, suggests a rebellious act. Surprise, surprise. Mommy dear, I am maroon and so are you.

She is a little concerned about grad school internship prospects with my untamed hair. She constantly asks me, 'what are going to do with your hair for next semester?'

Friday, June 5, 2009

Exams done, graduations, parties, wedding.....bridal duty in Barbados....blah,blah, blah. May was busy. I no longer enjoy taking daily pictures of my outfits. It stifled my creativity. I was no longer dressing for me, I now had an audience. Not too sure I enjoyed that. As a matter of fact, I didn't.